by Jane Charles
Ashton objected not only because he would not run and hide, but because if he disappeared, no doubt Palmer would have the docks watched, and it was more important that his newest brother and his future bride escape. That is, if everything fell apart, but Ashton had confidence that his plan would be successful, and he owed it all to Hannah and her different way of looking at matters.
The night dragged on in anticipation and Ashton waited for the moment where he’d break the news to Palmer.
Perhaps he should advise Palmer of his miscalculation in private, but from what he’d learned over the past fortnight, the man enjoyed humiliating others in public, and had done so on so many occasions, especially having those arrested and the cause for such imprisonment announced to all.
The residents of this town feared him, and Ashton wanted that fear erased.
Hannah’s stomach was in knots and she could find no enjoyment in this evening. She simply wanted it over.
Once she’d partnered Mr. Hill in a dance, and another time it had been Roxburg, but she couldn’t bring herself to dance again and she adored dancing. It was one of the reasons she loved the Season. But there was no joy tonight.
She watched as Ashton and Francine waltzed and her father proudly looked on from his place beside the dais. A quartet of musicians sat behind him and the song was soon to come to an end.
Her stomach tightened further as she knew he was about to make the announcement that Ashton had warned him against making. But the man was so proud, confident and pompous, he listened to no one and was certain that he’d finally receive what he craved. Instead, he’d receive his due.
As the song drew to an end, Palmer stepped up onto the dais and Hannah grasped Jillian’s hand for support.
“All will be well,” her sister-in-law whispered.
Oh, she prayed Jillian was correct or her future with Ashton would require her visiting him in prison.
Ashton stepped forward. “I’ve advised you not to make this announcement.” His tone was low enough that only those who were near, such as Hannah, could hear. The others scattered throughout the ballroom paid no heed.
Palmer smirked. “Is it because you are embarrassed that I beat you?” Palmer’s words weren’t so quiet and began to draw the attention of those in attendance.
“I’ve two months,” Ashton reminded him. “Do you wish to bring embarrassment to your daughter, yourself, by making such a premature announcement. One that might require you to explain why your daughter isn’t married to me after the first of the year?”
“You know as well as I that you’ll never have the funds. Further, I care little for your embarrassment and it’s time that you realize that I hold the upper hand. I always have.”
“It is not I who will be embarrassed Mr. Palmer,” Ashton insisted. “Perhaps we should discuss this matter in private.”
Hannah blinked. Ashton had claimed that the announcement must be public, or it might not work.
“We are among friends.” Palmer spread out his arms to indicate the guests, though Hannah doubted he had one friend in the room.
“Very well,” Ashton sighed. “But may I say a few words before you make any announcement?”
“You?” Palmer drew back. “This is about my daughter.”
“And my future,” Ashton reminded him.
Palmer studied him for a moment and there was near silence in the ballroom as they’d gained the attention of everyone.
“Very well.” Palmer stepped aside. “However, it changes nothing. You are still poor and indebted to me.”
“Of course,” Ashton acknowledged and stepped onto the dais then looked about and then nodded. “Mr. Hill, would you please join me.”
“What is this about?” Palmer demanded.
“I simply wish to have my brother beside me during this monumental moment.”
“I don’t want him up here.” Palmer pointed to Hill as he took his place beside Ashton.
“He’s my brother. You don’t expect me to deny my own brother, do you?”
“He’s a bastard.”
“He is still my brother,” Ashton insisted then glanced around the ballroom. “In fact, it is no secret who fathered him. Everyone in town knows who his father is so there is no need to try and hide the fact, and as it is common knowledge, I wish to have him with me, here, now, tonight.”
“I’ll see him thrown out.” Palmer waved a finger in Ashton’s face. “I don’t know what you are about, but if you think to renege on the contract, I will not allow you to do so.”
“My father’s contract, not mine, and after careful reading, he was very clear in his intentions. So clear that I find there is no escape from the clause.”
At that, Palmer relaxed. “I knew you’d see reason, so why the dramatics of bringing this bastard with you?”
“He is my brother. Until a few weeks ago, I had no knowledge of his existence, but I’ve spent time coming to know him.”
“I still don’t understand, but do what you must because it changes nothing.”
“I agree. It changes nothing as the contract speaks for itself.” Ashton then turned to those gathered. “Am I to understand that everyone knew Mr. Hill was my father’s son?”
There were some murmurings and head nods.
“How many of you knew?”
Slowly hands began to rise.
“What is the meaning of this?” Palmer demanded.
“You’ll see,” Ashton retorted.
“In fact, it was never kept a secret. Not even at birth.”
Again, there were murmurings.
“In fact, I’m to understand that my father was quite proud.”
“That he was,” someone called.
“In fact, someone recently told me that my father regretted that Mr. Hill would not inherit.”
“He is the eldest son,” another called.
“It’s the truth. He said it often enough back when he visited,” someone else agreed.
Ashton turned to Hill and raised his glass. “To my brother. My father’s eldest son. The one preferred.”
“Get on with it,” Palmer ground out. “This display is quite embarrassing. Who flaunts a bastard amongst those who are his betters?”
“You are correct,” Ashton gave a bow of his head. “I simply wished to establish that Mr. Milan Hill is indeed my father’s eldest son. The one he spoke of. The one he didn’t hide. The one he bragged about in Barbados.” Ashton glanced to Palmer as he paused, a hard glint in his eyes before he lifted his glass higher. “And, to congratulate him on his pending marriage to Miss Francine Palmer.”
“What?” Palmer yelled. “No. She will not be marrying him. She is to marry you. Your father promised as much.”
“Oh dear,” Hannah muttered to Jillian. “Mr. Palmer’s face is quite red.”
Chapter 28
Ashton savored this moment, as he was certain Milan did as well. And, once he was finished, all those in the room whom Palmer had intimidated all these years would be quite happy they attended tonight, or so he assumed.
“What is the meaning of this, Wingate?” Palmer demanded. “If this is a ploy to get out of marrying my daughter, I will not have it.”
“No ploy,” Ashton insisted before he turned his attention to those gathered. “I am certain that you are all aware that Mr. Palmer has coveted a title for his daughter, as he could not claim one for himself.”
There were murmurs in agreement.
“Even if he had married a titled woman, his children would not have gained such a title and they would have soon been far removed with each generation.”
“What matters now is that when my daughter marries you, that title will continue through her children. My grandchildren.”
“Sadly, you are mistaken, as I will not be marrying Miss Palmer, nor did my father wish me to.”
“Of course he did. It’s in the agreement. The addendum that he signed.”
“Yes, he did sign such an agreement. I was seven at the time and M
ilan was ten.”
“I don’t see that your ages mattered. He promised his son to me.”
“Yes, he did,” Ashton answered calmly. “As I was saying, at the time, I was a mere seven, my name clearly established, and I carried the courtesy title of the Earl of Stalter.”
“So?” Palmer demanded.
“My father could have used any of those names, but he did not.”
“The agreement clearly states you!” Palmer screamed.
“The agreement states…” Ashton pulled the documents from inside of his coat and found the line. My father pledged that his ‘eldest son would marry Francine Caroline Palmer’. Had he intended it to be me, he would have listed my name. Instead, only your daughter’s was listed.”
“Give me that.” Palmer grabbed the documents from Ashton, nearly tearing the sheets.
“His intention was for you to marry my daughter,” Palmer yelled.
“No, his intention was for his eldest son to marry your daughter, as stated.” Ashton held out his arm as if to include those gathered. “And, as I established a short moment ago, everyone knew who my father’s eldest son was. He referred to Mr. Hill as such, and there was never a secret.”
“This can’t be.” Palmer thrust the documents back at Ashton. “You are twisting the intention and I will not stand for it. The clear intent in this agreement was that you were to marry my daughter. Your father knew of my intention and agreed.”
“I twist nothing. My father did know, of that I am certain. However, had he intended for the groom to be me, I would have been named, as your daughter was named. He did not.”
“I’ll take this to the court of law and then you’ll see.”
“Do what you must, but I will not pay you a shilling until you have the ruling.”
“The debt is due by the first.”
“Only if the eldest son doesn’t marry your daughter,” Ashton reminded him. “Mr. Hill is more than willing to marry Miss Palmer, thus satisfying the agreement you and my father reached long ago.”
“I’ll not have it. It is you who he intended. My daughter will not marry that bastard!” The man was growing quite red in the face with veins bulging in his neck and temple. Ashton had never seen anyone this angry before in his life. Not even his parents during their more bitter arguments.
“Even if the courts side with you in this, I will not marry Miss Palmer,” Ashton said calmly. “But as you wish to take this before a magistrate, payment will wait until such matters are decided.” With that, he turned his back on Palmer and stepped from the dais, satisfied that he’d accomplished what he came to do, then made his way toward Hannah, whom he’d avoided all evening for the single purpose of not making Palmer suspicious.
“I’ll see you in prison,” Palmer yelled. “You’ll marry my daughter, or you’ll rot in prison.”
Ashton didn’t even turn to acknowledge the rantings but noted that Francine had slipped out an open door into the night.
“You get out of here and don’t go near my daughter.”
Ashton could only assume he was yelling at Milan who had intended to leave immediately after the announcement, knowing that Palmer wouldn’t ever agree to the marriage. Soon the two would meet at the end of the drive and make their escape.
“Come back here, Wingate, I’m not fin…fin…” What followed were gasps from the crowd and Ashton turned just in time to see Palmer grab his chest and left arm as his eyes nearly bulged out of his head. He then fell to his knees and tumbled from the dais.
The crowd drew back as one man pushed himself through and knelt beside the now prone Palmer.
He placed his head against Palmer’s chest then lifted his wrist, but Ashton didn’t need a diagnosis. Palmer stared straight at him, eyes fixed and open.
“I’ll find Miss Palmer,” Roxburg whispered and ran through one of the open doors.
Ashton could only gape at the lifeless body of Palmer.
He’d not meant to kill him. Truthfully, he had not, but he wasn’t willing to be another victim of the man’s greed either.
“He’s dead,” the man finally said.
“Perhaps we should go,” Hannah suggested as she slipped her hand into his.
“No,” Ashton answered. “I’ll not be a coward. My announcement brought this on, but I am not guilty of his death.” He turned to her. “We should be here to offer support to Francine.”
It was the oddest experience of her life. Hannah had never seen anyone die before, but odder still, the guests simply murmured between themselves and took their leave. Nobody cried. Nobody was outraged. It was as if they simply accepted the situation and now it was time to return home.
Few moments passed before Francine was rushing back into the ballroom, Mr. Hill close behind, as she fell to her knees beside her father.
Palmer may have been the most unpleasant man to walk this earth, but he was still Francine’s father and she would undoubtedly mourn him deeply.
As she cradled his head in her lap, the gentleman who had pronounced him dead closed Palmer’s eyes and Hill placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
She sobbed, as one would expect and Hannah wanted to go to her, but what could she say? What comfort could she offer?
Ashton let go of her hand and crossed to Miss Palmer and Hill. “You have my deepest sympathy.” She glanced up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks and Hannah feared that Miss Palmer would now blame Ashton for her father’s death.
“Had I known that this would be the outcome, I would never have addressed the stipulations as I had.”
“It isn’t your fault, Lord Wingate,” Miss Palmer insisted. “I knew what my father wanted, but I’m afraid we all underestimated how badly.”
“I still feel responsible,” Ashton insisted.
“It wasn’t your fault,” the man who had attempted to come to Palmer’s aid stood and held out his hand to Ashton. “Dr. Walker.” He introduced himself. “Mr. Palmer had a weak heart.”
Miss Palmer’s head jerked up. “He did? He never told me.”
The doctor shook his head. “He denied the fact, even though I’d warned him for years. He hid the episodes from you, everyone, because he didn’t want anyone to think him weak.”
“Episodes?” Miss Palmer asked. “What kind and how many?”
“Chest pains, tingling in his limbs, headaches. As many as half a dozen a year for the past few years, but he refused to take precautions and avoid excitement.”
Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose. “Had I known...”
“How could you have? The man kept it a secret from everyone.”
“Had I, I would have approached this matter in another manner.”
“The result would have been the same,” the doctor insisted. “It was only a matter of time, as I warned him” The doctor tilted his head. “Had you known, would you have held your tongue and married Miss Palmer simply to save his heart?”
“No, of course not,” Ashton answered.
“Then you did nothing wrong, nor will anyone believe that you have.”
Hannah’s heart went out to Ashton, but she was at a loss as to what to say or do to ease his guilt.
Sam approached and pressed a glass of what appeared to be rum into his hand and Hannah glanced around. All the guests and musicians were gone and the only people who remained were her and Ashton’s family, Dr. Walker, Francine and the servants. A few came forward to carry Mr. Palmer from the room.
“We’ll take care of him Miss Palmer,” an older black woman said kindly.
Francine smiled up at her with watery eyes and grasped her hand. “Thank you, Martha.”
Martha behaved to Francine almost as a mother figure and Hannah wondered as to her status in the house. From what she understood, Palmer employed no one and kept slaves to do all the work.
As the two embraced, another man stepped into the room and approached.
Hill turned toward him and held out his hand in greeting.
“Miss Palmer, I am sor
ry for your loss.”
“Thank you, Mr. Holland.”
Hannah had seen the man earlier at the ball. Why did he leave and then come back?
“I know this isn’t the best time, but no time is good for these matters.”
Francine nodded. “I understand that you were father’s solicitor and man of business. I assume you need to speak with me about his estate.”
“Yes and the sooner we can address the issues, the better.”
She sniffed and dabbed her eyes. “Would tomorrow morning be convenient?” She asked.
The man balked. “I thought we could at least wait until after the funeral. I didn’t mean to infer there was a rush.”
“I did not take that to be your meaning but as my father wouldn’t have granted anyone a moment of bereavement before he made his demands, I’ll not honor him in such a way either.”
“Francine, are you certain?” Hill asked.
“Quite certain. I loved my father, but I’m not blind to the man he was, and I’d rather address what is needed so that we can move forward.”
Hannah blinked in surprise.
“Would you like me to see to the arrangements for the funeral as well?” Mr. Holland asked.
“That would very much be appreciated. Let Martha know when the funeral will be. Until then, I assume he will be prepared and resting here.”
“Very good.” Mr. Holland bowed his head in acknowledgement. “I’ll call on you tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t you worry, none, Miss Palmer. My boys will take care of the rest,” Martha insisted.
Francine squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Martha. I don’t know what I would have done without you after Mother passed.” She leaned in and hugged the woman again. “I can’t imagine not having you here, with me, but as of this moment, it is your choice as to whether you wish to stay or go.”
“I thank you, Miss Palmer, but you are in mourning and this is not the time to make such important decisions.”
